Jake lost her voice for several days. It's a good thing her face is so expressive. If the dogs weren't so blind, they probably would've understood her silent, glowering commands much better. I found myself wanting to stop paying attention to the food at dinner and go lay down on the rug and be quiet. Sammy was harder to convince, though. When Ricky joined us for dinner on Monday night, he had Jake laughing so hard she was making little bunny squeaks. She had to throw a napkin at his head to make him stop. I don't even remember what was so funny.

The bad news on the block is that Luke and Mason have broken up. It's a bad story. I don't want to write about it here since I've posted their pics in the past, and I've only heard one side of it. Damn. I hate it when that happens.

I've been plowing through books this week. Suzanne Brockmann's latest, "Over the Edge", is sitting at home. Teasing me. But I want to save it for Florida. I just finished reading "Virgins", by Caryl Rivers, written from the POV of a senior at an all-girls Catholic high school. Sara loaned it to me, telling me it's one of her all-time favorites, but I'm afraid it's given me a warped view of Catholic high schools. The whole cultural perspective on life is so foreign to what I grew up with. The story takes place in the '50s, so I'm thinking that may have something to do with it.

Of course, I already had a sort of skewed view of Catholic high school girls since the only person I know who went to an all-girls Catholic high school is Sara (valedictorian, thank you very much, we're so proud). If I could go back in time and watch her at the podium, giving her graduation day speech, I'd be thinking, "Wow. Who would think that when she grows up she'll be able to take so much up the ..." erm ... never mind. So, you know, from my perspective, Catholic high school girls grow up to be irresistible, kinky sex goddesses. I think it's wearing the flippy pleated skirts and shiny Mary Janes that does it.

Seriously, it made me wonder how Sara ever got to be who she is today. Granted, she feels guilty about the weirdest things sometimes, so she hasn't escaped her roots altogether. But maybe I better understand where that comes from now.

I should really get back to work. I'm wishing that I had arranged for a guest diarist to take over while I'm gone. If anyone wants to have "If I Were Badsnake" day on their own diary while I'm gone, feel free. Let me know that you did, and I'll link it to my own site when I get back.

Tonight I'll be packing, there will be a plumber working in the bathroom, the girls will be over for dinner, and the pet/house sitter will be dropping by to get instructions. Whee.